Twins are working hard following surgery

Lancaster twins Katie and Emma Sutcliffe have been working hard since returning home following pioneering surgery in America.

The 16-year-olds suffer from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and have needed wheelchairs and sticks throughout their lives to get around.

But thanks to an appeal, which was backed by the Guardian, the twins raised more than £85,000 to pay for specialist surgery at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri, USA.

It is hoped the pioneering treatment will help them walk unaided.

The girls and their mum Caroline spent a month in America, and since returning home have been working hard to strengthen their legs.

This involves attending physiotherapy and strengthening sessions four times a week at the Lancaster University sports centre with physiotherapist Brett Fletcher from Lancaster Physiotherapy Clinic.

The girls – who were due to collect their GCSE results from Our Lady’s Catholic College today, Thursday – are also having daily physiotherapy at home.

Caroline said: “It’s hard work for the girls at the moment, and will be for the next few months, but we all know that eventually this hard work will pay off for the girls and their mobility will only get better and better!

“Each week we can see Katie and Emma getting stronger and stronger.

Caroline added that since returning to Lancaster, she has been overwhelmed by the interest and concern for the girls she has received from people.